Floor mat



April 1, 1969 Y' A. MANN, JR l 35435380 FLOOR MAT Filed sept. 28, 1966 vg sheet of 2 52 v 42444 55 2456 5 5 4055 ZO l v l INVENTOR 'l V i l aFRED A.MANN',JE. Z5 54 i 50 Z2 @O BY l ATTORNEY April-1, 1969 F. A.MANN,A JR v v I 3,435,480v

FLOOR MAT '.riled'sept. 28.1966. sheet 2 @f2 A 'II'.IIAY."

V IIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIII ".5 lo INVENTOR.

. FRED A. MANN,JR.

ATTORNEY Y.

United States Patent O 3,435,480 FLOOR MAT Fred A. Mann, Jr., 504 N.Nottawa St., Sturgis, Mich. 49091 Filed Sept. 28, 1966, Ser. No. 582,747Int. Cl. B431 2]/02; A47k 7/02 U.S. Cl. -215 8 Claims ABSTRACT OF THEDISCLOSURE This invention relates to improvements in oor mats andparticularly to floor mats of the type disclosed in my prior Patent3,234,577 dated Feb. l5, 1966- and 3,238,554, dated Mar. 8, 1966i.

One of the problems frequently encountered in the use of lightweightthrow rugs or mats mounted upon carriers having parts overlapping therug to hold the same extended for use in doorways or entryways ofbuildings is that the portions of the carrier overlapping the ends ofthe rug or mat to hold the mat fiat become hazards because of thepossibility that a person walking thereover may pivot or release thesame upon kicking it, and may trip or fall. Some constructions of matholders or carriers are also subject to a pivotal movement or deformingof the parts thereof which overlie the margin of a mat when pressure isapplied at certain parts thereof by a person walking thereon. Otherconstructions of this type have required the use of mats or rugs havinga stiffening backing such as a latex backing. The use of rugs with suchbacking presents problems of cleaning the mat because of the tendency ofthe latex backing to ignite while drying, and because of the weight ofthe rug provided with such backing.

It is the primary object of this invention to provide a oor mat whichmeets and overcomes the foregoing limitations and objections to priorconstructions.

A further object is to provide a oor mat of this type within which athin flexible mat or rug such as a cotton rug having no backing may bemounted and held in place securely.

A further object is to provide a device of this character which has alow prole so as to present a minimum obstacle or obstruction in the pathof persons walking thereon, while at the same time firmly anchoring theend portions of a rug overlapped thereby.

A further object is to provide a device of this character having pivotedrug clamps which normally maintain operative position overlapping andlocking the ends of a rug, but which can be readily manipulated to pivotthe same for release of a rug and insertion of a clean rug.

A further object is to provide a device of this character having areleasable rug anchoring marginal part so constructed and arranged thatit cannot be accidentally released by walking thereon or ykicking thereagainst.

A further object is to provide a device of this character having a novelarrangement of rug supporting base sheet and pivoted marginal clampingand retaining unit so constructed that any tendency to pull the rug fromthe retaining means increases the grip yor anchorage of the retainingunit upon lthe rug.

Other objects will be apparent from the following specifications.

In the drawings:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of my new oor mat.

Lnce

FIG. 2 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional view taken on line 2 2 ofFIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional View similar to FIG. 2, butillustrating a modified construction using different materials.

FIG. 4 is an enlarged fragmentary edge view illustrating the parts inopen position and illustrating the manner in which a rug is mounted inand released from the carrier portion of the device, and illustrating aslight modification of the construction.

FIG. 5 is an edge View of the construction shown in FIG. 4 in itsoperative position.

FIG. `6 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional view similar to FIG. 2 andillustrating another modification.

FIG. 7 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional view similar to FIG. 2, butillustrating still another modification of the invention.

FIG. 8 is a fragmentary plan view of the construction illustrated inFIG. 7, with parts shown in section.

FIG. 9 is an enlarged fragmentary detail sectional view taken on line9-9 of FIG. 8.

FIG. 10 is a fragmentary sectional view taken on line 10-10 of FIG. 8.

Referring to the drawings and particularly to FIGS. l-5 thereof, thenumeral 20 designates a rug or mat such as a cottom or chenille rugwhich is of lightweight and readily cleanable. The rug 20 preferably hasno backing, but if desired a latex-backed rug may be employed, in whichinstance it may be desirable to remove the backing from the end portionsof the rug which are to be gripped or locked by the mounting structureor carrier to be described.

The carrier for the rug includes the thin base sheet 22, such as a thinsheet of rubber, synthetic rubber or synthetic resin materialcharacterized by flexibility, resilience, resistance to wear orabrasion, and normal tendency to lie flat and retain its shape. I havefound that a sheet of poly-vinyl resin of the thickness of 1A; inch orless provides a satisfactory base sheet. The base sheet 22 is preferablyof the same width of the rug or mat 20, although the same may be eithernarrower or slightly wider than said rug.

A top clamp member 24 overlies and is secured to the end marginalportion to the base sheet 22 at each end thereof. Member 24 ischaracterised by a cross sectional conguration tapering from themidportion thereof to the opposite side edges thereof, and preferablyhas longitudinal shallow grooves or serrations in its upper surface todefine a tread upon which users may walk with minimum risk of slippingthereon, and with minimum risk of tripping thereon in the event the toeof the users shoe contacts an edge of the clamp member. The top clampmember 24 is preferably formed as an extrusion of aluminum alloy orother suitable metal, although it may be formed of an extrusion ofrubber, synthetic rubber or synthetic resin as illustrated in FIG. 3.The clamp member 24 may have an inset bottom base sheet engaging surfaceportion 26, as illustrated in FIG 2, and a toe portion 28 at its outermargin adapted to engage the floor or other surface and cooperating withthe inset bottom surface 26 to provide a socket receiving the endportion of a base sheet 22. Alternatively, the base sheet 22 and theouter margin of the clamp plate 24 may be substantially flush asillustrated in FIG. 3. Serrations 30 or ribs may be formed in the bottomsurface of the outer margin of part 24 which engages the base 22.

Intermediate the width of the top clamp member 24 is provided alongitudinal part cylindrical socket 32 having Ia reduced width mouthportion 34 open at its lower face.

The inner portion of the top clamp member 24 has a rated from the socket32 by a rib portion or shoulder delining part 38 whose bottom surface ispreferably upwardly offset or spaced from the top edge of the base sheet22 in the operative position of the parts. The oliset of surface 36 fromthe bottom surface of the rib 38 is preferably equal to or slightlygreater than the thickness of the rug or mat 20. If the offset of thesurface 36 is greater than the thickness of the rug or rnat 20, theinner margin of the top clamp member 24 will preferably be provided witha downwardly projecting longitudinal toe portion or rib 4G adapted tobear against the top surface of the rug or mat 2t).

In some instances, it may be desirable to provide one or more decorativestrips or indicia bearing strips upon the top surface of each clampmember 24. Such a strip 42 is preferably mounted upon the clamp member24 by seating thereof within a shallow slot 44 which preferably hasupwardly inwardly converging edges 46. The strip 42 may be retained inany suitable manner as by the use of cement or securing screws, or bypeening of the ends of the member 24 at the slot 44.

The top clamp members 24 are Secured to the end portions of the basesheet 22. outwardly of the socket mouth 34 in any suitable manner, as bythe use of cement or securing screws or other fasteners.

A bottom clamp member 50, preferably of thin plate material such assheet metal, is carried by each top clamp member 24 A pivotal connectionof the parts 24 and 50 extending lengthwise thereof is provided by apart cylindrical knuckle member 52 of a cross sectional dimension tohave a snug rotatable tit in the socket 32 of the part 24. Knucklemember 52 is carried by a flange 54 bent upwardly from the bottom clampmember 50 to pass through the reduced width mouth 34 of the socket. TheWidth of the bottom clamp member 50 is slightly greater than the spacingbetween the socket 32 and the inner marginal edge of the part 24, sothat the inner` edge of the bottom clamp member 50 projects beyond theedge of the top clamp member in the operative position of the parts -asillustrated in FIGS. 2, 3 and 5.

The bottom clamp member 50, preferably has a plurality of prongs, tinesor other projections 56 of pointed character projecting upwardlytherefrom and adapted to impale the rug or mat l at the marginal portionthereof which is overlapped by the inner marginal portion of the topclamp member 24 as illustrated in FIGS. 2 and 3. The extent to which thebottom clamp member 50 projects beyond the toe 40 of the top clampmember 24 is slight, but preferably is sufficient to provide a slightrib or raised portion 58 of the rug adjacent to the inner edge to thetop clamp as seen in FIGS. l and 2. An alternative arrangement forproviding a raised part of the rug alongside the edge of the top clampmember at 58 is illustrated in FIGS. 4 and 5 wherein a longitudinalshallow upward rib or corrugation is formed in the bottom clamp plate 50over which the rug drapes at 58 as seen in FIG. 5. The rug is clamped atthe toe portion 40 in addition to the anchorage thereof provided by theprongs 56.

It would be observed by reference to FIG, 4 that the mat 20 can beapplied to the carrier rapidly and without the use of tools by simplymanipulating the parts to the FIG. 4 position by a pull upon the innermarginal portion of each top clamp plate 24 in an upward and inwarddirection, iiexing the base sheet 22 and opening or separating the upperfrom the lower clamp plates. Thus, it will be seen that the pivot orjoint knuckle at 52 permits gravitational tilting of the bottom clampplate 50 with its free or inner edge bearing `against the top surface ofthe base sheet 22 while the inner marginal portion of the top clampplate 24 is swung upwardly clear of the mat 20. This exposes thepreviously clamped margin of the mat 20 to permit its manipulation tofree it from the prongs 56 and lift it from the carrier. Replacement ofa clean mat or rug 20 is accomplished by positioning the clean rug 20properly upon the base sheet 22 with its end marginal portions overlyingthe inner marginal portions of the top clamp plates 24. Thereupon thedevice can be manipulated to open-jaw position in FIG. 4 and the endmarginal portions of the rug inserted between the upper clamp 24 and thelower clamp 50 and engaged or impaled by the pins 56. It will also beobserved that as the parts are then permitted to return to normal oroperative position, shown in FIG. 5, with the base sheet 22 fiat, a pullis exerted upon the rug 20. Consequently, when both ends of the rug havebeen anchored, the rug will be drawn taut and will be free of Wrinkles.

The location of the edge knuckle 52 intermediate the width of the upperclamp plate 24 is of importance to prevent accidental or undesiredopening or tilting of the upper clamp part 24. Thus, it will be observedthat if a user should kick against either the inner or the outer edge ofthe top clamp plate 24, this central position of the hinge preventsopening or swinging of the top clamp plate 24 toward open position. Atthe same time, the parts are compact so that the ends of the carrierpresent a low profile with minimum risk of tripping thereon by users.The taut condition of the rug upon insertion in the carrier insures thatthe rug will not wrinkle during use, even though it possesses noinherent rigidity, as in the case of a chenille rug having no backing.Also, it will fbe observed that any pull upon the rug tending todisengage it from the carrier acts to exert a downward pressure upon therug at the toe or rib 40, thereby increasing the gripping or clampingaction of the clamp 24 thereon.

It will be understood that the hinge parts may be held assembled as bypeening the ends of the top clamp plate adjacent the socket 32. It willalso be understood that the use of the impaling pins 56 is not limitedto use upon the bottom clamp plate 5t), but that impaling pins may beprovided upon the top part 24 which overlies the margin of the rug,which top plate impaling prongs can cooperate with the prongs 56 on theplate 50 or can be used instead of the pins S6. It will also beunderstood that the use of impaling pins is not essential and thatserrations upon the clamping parts may be employed instead of impalingpins. Such serrated constructions are shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, whereinparts similar to those described above bear the same reference numerals.Thus, it will be observed that in FIG. 6, the bottom clamp member 50 isprovided with one or more longitudinal shallow V-shaped ribs 62 orcorrugations spaced inwardly of the corrugations 60 and of the innermargin of the top clamp plate 24. Thus, the parts cooperate in the FIG.6 construction to flex the rug at 5S and effect a irm grip thereof bythe cooperative action of the rug engaging parts 40, 60 and 62.

Another modification showing the use of anchoring serrations isillustrated in FIG. 7, wherein the bottom surface of the top clamp plate24 is provided with a longitudinal groove 64 spaced slightly from itsinner edge, and a complementary rib 66 is offset upwardly at aregistering part of the bottom clamp member 50. The rug is clamped at 68by the complementary groove 64 and rib 66 to effect a firm anchoragethereof between the clamping parts.

In some instances, it may be desired to provide a positive lock toprevent accidental or unintentional separation or opening or pivoting ofthe top clamp member 24 and the bottom clamp member 50, and the FIGS. 7,8, 9 and 10 illustrate a locking construction to accomplish thispurpose. Thus, one or more key ways, slots or grooves 70 are formedwithin the top clamp member 24 at each end thereof extending lengthwiseand communicating with the socket 32. The end portion of the knucklemember 52 is provided with one or more slots or key ways or grooves 72,each of which registers with a key way 70 of the clamp member 24. Whenthe top clamp 24 and the bottom clamp 50 are in operative rug clampingposition, as seen in FIG. 7, a locking key 74 is slidable endwise ineach pair of registering key ways 70, 72 as illustrated in FIGS. 7 and9. In the preferred form, the locking keys 74 are arranged in pairs andmounted upon a ramp member 76. It will be apparent that insertion of thelocking key 74 into the key way 70, 72 can be accomplished easily bymanipulation of the ramp member 76, which member may be configured toprovide a tapering contour at the end top clamp 24. Similarly, releaseof the clamping action can be accomplished easily by grasping andpulling upon the ramp 76 to withdraw the key member 74 from the key way70, 72.

While the preferred embodiments of the invention have been illustratedand described, it Will be understood that changes of the constructionmay be made within the scope of the appended claims without departingfrom the spirit of the invention.

One such change entails the use of separate base sheets 22 associatedwith each clamping or anchoring device and underlying a part only of thelength of the rug, rather than the full length of the rug as shown inFIG. 1.

I claim:

1. A oor mat comprising a exible mat adapted to be cleaned readily, aflexible shape retaining base sheet mounting said flexible mat thereon,an elongated substantially rigid top clamp member having an outerwidthwise margin carried Iby and secured directly to said base sheet andhaving an inner widthwise marginal clamp portion overlying and engagingan end portion of said exible mat, a bottom clamp member interposedbetween said base sheet and the inner clamp portion of said top clampmember and underlying said flexible mat, and means pivotally connectingsaid bottom clamp member at its outer marginal portion to said top clampmember intermediate the width of said top clamp member along its entirelength and spaced outwardly from said exible mat.

2. A oor mat as defined in claim 1, and means carried by one of saidclamp members for impaling said exible mat.

3. A oor mat as defined in claim 1, wherein at least one of said clampmembers has a clamping face interrupted by a ridge parallel to saidpivot.

4. A lioor mat as defined in claim 1, wherein said top clamp member hasa longitudinal socket open at its bottom and said bottom clamp memberhas a knuckle fitting and rockable in said socket, said socket andknuckle constituting said pivot connection means.

5. A floor mat as defined in claim 1, wherein said top clamp member hasits greatest height at its longitudinal central portion and taperstoward its side edges, said bottom clamp member projecting beyond saidtop clamp member to dene a raised portion of said exi'ble mat adjacentthe margin of said top clamp member.

6. A floor mat as defined in claim 1, wherein said bottom clamp memberprojects laterally relative to the adjacent margin of said top clampmember, and the projecting part of said bottom clamp member has alongitudinal upward ridged portion.

7. A floor mat as defined in claim 1, wherein said pivot means includesa longitudinal socket in one of said top and bottom clamp membersrockably mounting a knuckle carried by the other of said members, keyways in said socketed member and knuckle registering in the operativeposition of said clamp members, and a locking key removably mounted insaid key ways.

8. A fioor mat as defined in claim 1, wherein said pivot meansconstitute a longitudinal knuckle on one clamping member and alongitudinal knuckle-receiving socket in the other member, said knuckleand socketed member having slots registering in the operative positionof said members, a key insertable in said slots and having a partextending transversely thereof for engagement with an end of said topclamp member.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 3,168,757 2/ 1965 Preston et al15-217 3,234,577 2/1966 Mann 15-217 3,238,554 3/1966 Mann l5-217 FOREIGNPATENTS 22,686 12/ 1917 Denmark.

WALTER A. SCHEEL, Primary Examiner.

LEON G. MACHLIN, Assistant Examiner.

